Apparatus and method for automatically fabricating tape with threads for visualization of air streams on aerodynamic surfaces

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method for visualizing air stream by little threads on aerodynamic surfaces such that strips of adhesive tape populated with threads are automatically fabricated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.11/364,775, filed on Feb. 28, 2006, which is a continuation of PCTPatent Application Serial No. PCT/EP2004/009584, filed Aug. 27, 2004,claiming priority of German Patent Application Serial No. 103 40 259.4,filed Aug. 29, 2003, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus and to a method forvisualization of an air stream by means of threads on aerodynamicsurfaces in such a way that strips of adhesive tape populated withthreads are produced automatically.

There are various possibilities of visualizing air streams on modelsurfaces in wind channels. One technique is the application of threads(8) onto the surface to be examined. The behavior of the threadsprovides a quick overview over the air stream conditions in the examinedregion. By illumination with UV-light, white colored threads orfluorescent synthetic materials are visible very well, so that thesemeasurements can be documented by means of a video camera. The threadsare adhered to the model surface, either one by one by means of spots ofadhesive material or by means of pieces of adhesive tape, or they areadhered to one side of adhesive tapes (24) before the adhesive tapes areattached to the model in the form of continuous strips. In the highvelocity domain, the technique used is the one with individually affixedthreads, since strips of adhesive tape (24) should not disturb thesurface of the model. In the wind channel—LSWT Bremen of AirbusDeutschland GmbH measurements are performed in the low velocity domain.Therefore, preconfigured strips of adhesive tape (24) with threads maybe used.

The following documents relate to the field of visualization methods forwind channel experiments. A method for performing such methods is notdescribed. However, the cited documents point out the importance ofvisualization of streams with the help of threads on aerodynamicsurfaces.

-   J. P. Crowder Flow simulation techniques 4th International Symposium    on flow visualization Paris August 1986-   E. Thiel Anwendungsbeispiele herkömmlicher Sichtbarmachungsmethoden    aus dem Strömungsversuch bei Dornier Interner Dornier Bericht    (1970-1975 ?)-   Agardograph 70/April 1962-   J. P. Crowder Fluorescent Mini Tufts for flow visualization Boeing    Commercial Airplanes Co. February 1977 Royal aircraft establishment    Techn. Memo AERO 2038-   D. G. Dobney et al. The “Minituft” surface flow visualization method    April 1985-   Strömungssichtbarmachung mit Minitufts im    Niedergeschwindigkeitskanal der THD Studienarbeit H. Cremer TH    Darmstadt February 1993-   Eidg. Flugzeugwerke Emmen Bericht FO 1753 Sichtbarmachung der    Strömung durch Minitufts für Windkanäle 1984

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Cutting of the Threads:

In the wind channel LSWT Bremen, mainly white threads or darning cottonare used for the visualization on the basis of threads. For cleaving orcutting of a single thread, the thread is wound around a cardboard stripfrom the thread roll; commercial darning cotton is already assembled oncardboard. The cotton is then cut together with the cardboard in orderto obtain threads of a desired length (usually the length of the threadsis about 2 cm, but should vary in length). For this, the cotton is fixedor clamped by means of an appropriate device, such that it can be neatlycleaved.

Preparation of the Strips of Adhesive Tape:

A plurality of one-sided sticky strips of adhesive tape, for example,commercial, one-sided sticky tape, which is as thin as possible, arefixed to a wooden mounting plate (21), sticky side up. Marking lines arearranged on the mounting plate (21) in order to provide standardizeddistances of the threads. The mounting plate (21) consists of wood whichis approximately 1 meter long, which thus corresponds to the maximumlength of the single strips of adhesive tape.

Application of the Thread:

The threads, which have previously been cut to the desired length, arethen glued onto the prepared one-sided sticky strips of adhesive tape byhand. The threads should be glued on a length of 3-5 mm, such that asafe fixation of the threads on the strips of adhesive tape is assured.

The distance between the threads (8) may be changed if desired,otherwise the marking lines on the mounting plate (21) are used. Theapplication of the strips of adhesive tape populated with the threadstakes an employee several hours.

This work may be monotonous and time consuming but, on the other hand,has to be carried out on a daily scale in order to provide measurementswith models in the wind channel.

Furthermore, there may be no apparatus today which automatically cutsthreads, for example, to a length of 2 cm and then places them onto asticky surface of a strip of adhesive tape. During adhesive bondingpressure has to be applied and the fingertips have to perform a rollingmotion such that the threads are truly fixed to the surface of the stripof adhesive tape. Until today, this was unpleasant work for an employeeof the wind channel team.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, anapparatus is provided, for fabrication of strips of adhesive tapepopulated with threads for the visualization of air streams thatreplaces the known cutting and applying of threads onto strips ofadhesive tape.

This may provide for an exact fixation of the threads onto the strips ofadhesive tape (24) with the possibility of producing little waste, suchthat the strips of adhesive tape (24) which are populated with thethreads (8) have only to be applied onto the aerodynamic model surfacesto be examined.

Further exemplary embodiments and aspects of the inventive method andapparatus are set forth in the sub-claims.

In the following, the apparatus and the method are described withrespect to the enclosed claims and with respect to FIGS. 1 to 10.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the apparatus for the fabrication of strips of adhesivetape populated with threads for the visualization of air streams in aside view;

FIG. 2 a shows the side view of a thread access unit next to a threadcutting unit (which is framed by a dashed line in FIG. 1);

FIG. 2 b shows a front view of the thread exit unit next to the threadcutting unit;

FIG. 2 c shows a top view of the thread exit unit next to the threadcutting unit;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of tweezers with a counter-sunk groove for safegripping and holding of the thread;

FIG. 3 a shows an inside view of a left tweezer arm with a counter-sunkgroove at the end of the arm;

FIG. 3 b shows an inside view of a right tweezer arm with a counter-sunkgroove at the end of the arm;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a thread cutting unit;

FIG. 4 a shows a top view of the thread cutting unit;

FIG. 5 shows the set-up of the apparatus;

FIG. 6 shows tweezers/connection unit of gripper flange with metalfinger and pressing means;

FIG. 7 shows a partial view of a model wing with strips of adhesive tapeapplied;

FIG. 8 shows a partial view of a mounting plate of Plexiglas located inthe working-area of the robot;

FIG. 9 shows a partial view of a base frame with front frame for thebase plate;

FIG. 10 shows a gripper (9).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The apparatus, which is described in the following, is adapted toautomatically glue threads onto strips of adhesive tap as explained inthe following with respect to FIGS. 1 to 10.

Only a mounting plate (6), which comprises sticky strips of adhesivetape which are all fixed at the same location, may have to be prepared(work time approximately 5 minutes). A robot of a small weight class isused, for example, a robot of the 3 kilogram weight class. The robot isfixedly mounted on a frame (1) which is fixed to the ground or standingon the ground. Furthermore, the thread exit unit (4) and the threadcutting unit (5) are mounted on the frame (1), which is fixed to theground, in the operational range of the robot. A mounting plate (6)which consists of Plexiglas and which comprises a one-sided stickingstrip of adhesive tape is put in the operational range of the robot. Themounting plate (6) is put into a frame (front part of the frame (1)which is fixed to the ground).

The frame (25) is provided with bars, which are cushioned with a 1 cmthick mat of foamed plastic.

Thus, the same position of the mounting plate (6), in relation to thefixed robot, may always be provided and the system may obtain a certainamount of flexibility due to the mat of foamed plastic which ispositioned under the plate.

The robot which is fixedly mounted on the back section of the frame (1),is according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,equipped in such a way that a pneumatic gripper (9) is mounted on therobot flange by means of a gripper flange connecting unit, whereintweezers (91), for example, consisting of aluminum, are mounted on thejaws of the gripper (9) at the mounting point (see FIG. 3).

A thread access unit (4) is, according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, designed in such a way that a thread roll (12) isrotatably mounted in a small frame, wherein the beginning of the threadruns through a small tube and then exits out of the tip of the tube (13)for gripping (see FIG. 2).

The thread access unit is positioned in such a way, that it isaccessible by the gripping unit of the robot.

Next to the thread access unit (4) is the thread cutting unit (5),attached to the frame (1).

An advantage of the present invention may be that the threads do nothave to be cut to a defined length manually anymore.

The operating voltage of the thread cutting unit (5) is 24 volts DC (20volts . . . 36 volts DC).

The current consumption of the thread cutting unit (5) is 200 m amps (at24 volts DC).

Reaction time: 20 ms.

Range of application: Up to 3000 dtex.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a thread cutting unit and FIG. 4 a shows atop view of a thread cutting unit. The thread cutting unit (5) isfixedly mounted to the back section of the model (1) which is fixed tothe ground, in front of the frame (22) with thread roll (12), such thatthe end of the unwound thread (11) hangs out of the middle tube (13) ofthe frame, and is positioned directly in front of the entrance of theplane of the knives of the thread cutting unit (5).

The thread cutting unit (5) is a commercially available electric threadcutting apparatus with a thread clamp, which is mainly used forautomated sewing machines. The thread cutting unit (5) cuts a littlethread (11) by applying a voltage of 24 volts (200 mA).

A knife (16), which is biased by the force of a spring, hits an anvil,which is positioned opposite, thus cutting the little thread (11), whichis positioned in slit (18) and then holds the cut thread by means of athread clamp. The little thread (11) is held tight until the spring isagain biased by means of a manually applied force, which is applied tothe reset means (17).

The sequential procedure is carried out such that a mounting plate (6)is put into a frame (25) (front part of the frame (1)) in front of therobot in its operational range, wherein one-sided sticky strips ofadhesive tape are always fixed at the same location (along the markinglines). Thus, always the same position in relation to the fixed robot isprovided and the system obtains some flexibility due to the mat offoamed plastic which is positioned below the plate.

The robot is programmed in such a way that it grabs the threads of thethread roll (12) of the frame (22) which hangs from the little tube (13)with the gripper (9) or grabber (9) by means of the tweezers (91), andthen pulls the thread (11) along a length of 2 cm in horizontaldirection over the slit (18) of the thread cutting unit (5). While thetweezers (91) are still holding the thread (11), a relay is switched bymeans of the robot control, which firstly triggers a cutting of thethread (11) and then opens the clamping device of the thread unit (5).In the next step, the robot positions the tweezers (91), which are stillgripping the little thread, over the mounting plate (6) in such a waythat the tweezers (91) can be opened and the little thread folds ontothe desired position of the strip of adhesive tape.

At the position (Y access and X access unchanged), at which the littlethread has been dropped, the robot rotates the gripping unit in the nextstep in such a way that the spring-mounted pressing means (27), which ismounted on the flange of the robot (access 6) too, carries out avertical movement towards the mounting plate (6) and fixes the littlethread onto the sticky surface of the strip of adhesive tape by means ofthe spring mounting pressing means (27).

The procedures of fetching the little thread (11), cutting the littlethread (11), putting down the little thread, pressing on the littlethread are repeated by respectively programming the robot until thestrips of adhesive tape, which are fixed to the mounting plate (6), arepopulated with little threads in a defined distance.

FIG. 5 shows the set-up of the whole apparatus.

Since the mounting plate (6) may be so wide that it cannot be reachedcompletely by the access of the robot, a metal finger (23) may bemounted on the connecting unit of the gripper flange, which moves themounting plate (6) along a horizontal movement (movement in thedirection of the negative X-access) in the frame of the ground-fixedframe (1) by means of a movement of the access of the robot to such anextent that the robot is put in a position to drop further littlethreads onto the mounting plate (6) and fix them. This can be seen inFIG. 6.

FIG. 7 shows a partial view of a model wing (7) with strips of adhesivetape (24) with threads (8) adhered thereto;

FIG. 8 shows a partial view of a mounting plate (6) of Plexiglas locatedin the working-area of the robot (31);

FIG. 9 shows a partial view of a base frame with front frame for thebase plate;

FIG. 10 shows a gripper (9).

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, anyprogrammable robot may be used for setting up the experiment.

The use of the apparatus may result in saving several hours of time perday, since the apparatus may be operated at the same time measurementsare performed, without the need of manpower.

This may be the first automated apparatus for the adhesion of littlethreads, which is of major interest for worldwide wind channels workingin a low velocity mode, suppliers of wind channel models and the FormulaI (wind channel of Toyota).

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method forfabrication of strips of adhesive tape populated with little threads ona mounting plate for the visualization of air streams according to thepreambles of claims 1 and 15. The positioning of threads on strips ofadhesive tape is automated, whereby laborious fixing by hand of littlethreads in huge amounts onto aerodynamic surfaces in a wind channel,which visualize the air streams during a test, does not have to beapplied any longer.

The apparatus for fabrication of strip of adhesive tape populated withlittle threads on a mounting plate consists of a base frame fixed to theground on which a frame plate is mounted at a vertical distance to thefootprint of the frame and horizontally arranged. A Robot unit, a threadaccess unit, a thread cutting unit and a mounting plate are arranged onthe frame plate, wherein a plurality of threads are arranged on thesurface according to a predetermined deposition arrangement on themounting plate. The robot unit comprises control means, which transmitmovement instructions to the robot access. The robot (manipulator) andthe thread access unit, as well as the thread cutting unit, are fixedlyarranged on a first plate section of the frame plate. The mounting plateis mounted on a second plate section of the frame plate, which islocated next to the first plate section, wherein the mounting plate isexchangeable and un-moveable. The robot unit and the thread access unit,the thread cutting unit, the mounting plate are successively arranged ina first horizontal position direction. Due to the arrangement and designof the robot arms and the maximum movement, the accessibility of threadaccess unit and the thread cutting unit, as well as the base platepopulated with a plurality of threads, is endured.

In the present method is for fabricating strips of adhesive tapepopulated with little threads for the visualization of air streams. Thethreads are detached from the mounting plate and then fixed to a surfaceof a model, which will be exposed to a wind channel, on which modelsurface, which will be then passed by an air stream.

In the present method, a plurality of short threads are arranged atdefined distances onto the strips of adhesive tape and distributedthereon, which is realized by the apparatus described above.

In the apparatus, a horizontally arranged robot unit, a thread accessunit and a thread cutting unit are positioned on the frame plate and themounting plate is pre-processed for the fixation of the strips ofadhesive tape at an earlier point in time with strips of adhesive tapepositioned on the mounting plate according to a defined drop downarchitecture and with attaching the strips of adhesive tape at sides ofedges of the mounting plate.

In one embodiment, the method comprises the following further steps,according to which the robot unit is programmed, such that the robotunit transmits control commands to a plurality of robot arms and todifferent units, which are installed on the frame plate:

-   -   a) firstly a pivot movement is executed by the robot hand with        the tweezers, such that the tip of the tweezers is directed in        front of the tube of the thread access unit,    -   b) then the pivotably mounted and oppositely arranged        addressable tweezer arms of tweezers, which are exchangeably        mounted to the gripper of the robot hand, and a thread, which is        unwound from a thread roll which is fixed to the frame and        rotatably mounted, and which is then guided through a        horizontally arranged thread tube and hangs down from the thread        tube outwardly, wherein the tweezer arms grab the thread and        then pull it with defined thread length,    -   c) furthermore, the robot hand which grabs the thread with the        tweezer arms, performs a pivot movement across the free space of        the thread cutting unit, which then    -   d) puts down an end section of a thread which is craned and        located at the end of the thread of the unwound thread into the        free space between opposite knife edge and anvil of the thread        cutting unit, and which then    -   e) impresses the caliper of the thread cutting unit due to a        received robot movement command with the metal finger and        triggers the following cutting of the craned end section of        thread to a defined length, wherein the thread cutting unit        holds the cut end section of the thread after it has been cut,        after which    -   f) the robot hand performs a further pivot movement and        positions the tweezers which grab the thread over the mounting        plate which is prepared with a plurality of strips of adhesive        tape, after which    -   g) the arms of the tweezers are opened at a short vertical        distance above a pre-defined location on the corresponding strip        of adhesive tape, which will then drop off a short thread above        this predefined location onto the respective strip of a adhesive        tape, then    -   h) the arms of the tweezers are closed and then    -   i) the spring-mounted pressing means, which is mounted on the        connection means of the gripping flange, moves in a rotating        vertical movement such that the short thread is pressed on the        predefined position by a short press of the spring-mounted        pressing means, after which    -   j) the robot hand departs together with the populated tweezers        from the pre-prepared mounting plate by performing a vertical        movement of the robot hand and thereon    -   k) the steps a) to j) are repeated until a respective short        thread has been pressed on all predefined positions on all fixed        strips of adhesive according to a preprogrammed defined        deposition architecture.

In the present method, a foamed plastic underlay may be arranged underthe preprocessed mounting plate on the frame of the base frame, in orderto avoid damage of the gripping unit during pressing application.

In a specific embodiment, the arms of the tweezers form a closed presson area, by which the short thread of the step i) is at first safelyheld at the predefined location and then dropped at a defined locationby opening the arms of the tweezers without jamming (getting caught),and is fixed with a minimal rolling movement of the robot arm by avertical movement of the spring-mounted pressing means consisting ofTeflon®.

1. A method of fabricating strips of adhesive tape populated with littlethreads for the visualization of air streams, the threads being detachedfrom the mounting plate and then fixed to a surface of a model, whichwill be exposed to a wind channel, on which model surface, which will bethen passed by an air stream, a plurality of short threads are arrangedat defined distances onto the strips of adhesive tape and distributedthereon, which is realized by an apparatus for fabricating adhesive tapewith threads for visualization of air streams on aerodynamic surfaces,the apparatus comprising: a fixed frame, a frame plate mounted on thefixed frame, a mounting plate, a programmable robot unit, a threadaccess unit and a thread cutting unit; wherein the frame plate comprisesa first and a second section, the first and second sections beingadjacent to one another; wherein the programmable robot unit comprises arobot base frame, a robot carousel that is rotatably mounted on therobot base frame, a robot rocker, a robot arm and a robot hand; whereinthe robot base frame, the thread access unit and thread the cutting unitare fixedly arranged on the first section of the frame plate; whereinthe mounting plate is mounted on the second section of the frame plateso as to be detachable, but unmovable when attached to the frame plate;and wherein the programmable robot unit, the thread access unit, thethread cutting unit and the mounting plate are arranged successively ina horizontal position so as to allow access of the robot arm to thethread access unit, the thread cutting unit and the mounting plate;wherein the horizontally arranged robot unit, the thread access unit andthe thread cutting unit are positioned on the frame plate and themounting plate is pre-processed for the fixation of the strips ofadhesive tape at an earlier point in time with strips of adhesive tapepositioned on the mounting plate according to a defined drop downarchitecture and with attaching the strips of adhesive tape at sides ofedges of the mounting plate, the method comprising the further steps,according to which the robot unit is programmed, such that the robotunit transmits control commands to a plurality of robot arms and todifferent units, which are installed on the frame plate: a) firstly apivot movement is executed by the robot hand with the tweezers, suchthat the tip of the tweezers is directed in front of the tube of thethread access unit, b) then the pivotably mounted and oppositelyarranged addressable tweezer arms of tweezers, which are exchangeablymounted to the gripper of the robot hand, and a thread, which is unwoundfrom a thread roll which is fixed to the frame and rotatably mounted,and which is then guided through a horizontally arranged thread tube andhangs down from the thread tube outwardly, wherein the tweezer arms grabthe thread and then pull it with defined thread length, c) furthermore,the robot hand which grabs the thread with the tweezer arms, performs apivot movement across the free space of the thread cutting unit, whichthen d) puts down an end section of a thread which is craned and locatedat the end of the thread of the unwound thread into the free spacebetween opposite knife edge and anvil of the thread cutting unit, andwhich then e) impresses the caliper of the thread cutting unit due to areceived robot movement command with the metal finger and triggers thefollowing cutting of the craned end section of thread to a definedlength, wherein the thread cutting unit holds the cut end section of thethread after it has been cut, after which f) the robot hand performs afurther pivot movement and positions the tweezers which grab the threadover the mounting plate which is prepared with a plurality of strips ofadhesive tape, after which g) the arms of the tweezers are opened at ashort vertical distance above a pre-defined location on thecorresponding strip of adhesive tape, which will then drop off a shortthread above this predefined location onto the respective strip of aadhesive tape, then h) the arms of the tweezers are closed and then i)the spring-mounted pressing means, which is mounted on the connectionmeans of the gripping flange, moves in a rotating vertical movement suchthat the short thread is pressed on the predefined position by a shortpress of the spring-mounted pressing means, after which j) the robothand departs together with the populated tweezers from the pre-preparedmounting plate by performing a vertical movement of the robot hand andthereon k) the steps a) to j) are repeated until a respective shortthread has been pressed on all predefined positions on all fixed stripsof adhesive according to a preprogrammed defined depositionarchitecture.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein a foamed plasticunderlay is arranged under the preprocessed mounting plate on the frameof the base frame, in order to avoid damage of the gripping unit duringpressing application.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the arms of thetweezers form a closed press on area, by which the short thread of thestep i) is at first safely held at the predefined location and thendropped at a defined location by opening the arms of the tweezerswithout jamming (getting caught), and is fixed with a minimal rollingmovement of the robot arm by a vertical movement of the spring-mountedpressing means consisting of Teflon®.
 4. A method of fabricatingadhesive tape with threads for visualization of air streams onaerodynamic surfaces with an apparatus for fabricating adhesive tapewith threads for visualization of air streams on aerodynamic surfaces,the apparatus comprising: a fixed frame, a frame plate mounted on thefixed frame, a mounting plate, a programmable robot unit, a threadaccess unit and a thread cutting unit; wherein the frame plate comprisesa first and a second section, the first and second sections beingadjacent to one another; wherein the programmable robot unit comprises arobot base frame, a robot carousel that is rotatably mounted on therobot base frame, a robot rocker, a robot arm and a robot hand; whereinthe robot base frame, the thread access unit and the thread cutting unitare fixedly arranged on the first section of the frame plate; whereinthe mounting plate is mounted on the second section of the frame plateso as to be detachable, but unmovable when attached to the frame plate;and wherein the programmable robot unit, the thread access unit, thethread cutting unit and the mounting plate are arranged successively ina horizontal position so as to allow access of the robot arm to thethread access unit, the thread cutting unit and the mounting plate, themethod comprising the following steps: a) grasping one end of unwoundthread hanging from a thread tube of the thread access unit and pullingthe thread to a predetermined thread length; b) putting the one end intothe thread cutting unit; c) activating the thread cutting unit to cutthe thread into a section of thread with a defined length; d) placingthe cut section of thread over an adhesive tape on the mounting plate;e) pressing the cut section of short thread into the adhesive tape.
 5. Amethod of fabricating strips of adhesive tape populated with littlethreads for the visualization of air streams, the threads being detachedfrom the mounting plate and then fixed to a surface of a model, whichwill be exposed to a wind channel, on which model surface, which will bethen passed by an air stream, a plurality of short threads are arrangedat defined distances onto the strips of adhesive tape and distributedthereon, which is realized by an apparatus for fabricating adhesive tapewith threads for visualization of air streams on aerodynamic surfaces,the apparatus comprising: a fixed frame, a frame plate mounted on thefixed frame, a mounting plate, a programmable robot unit, a threadaccess unit and a thread cutting unit; wherein the frame plate comprisesa first and a second section, the first and second sections beingadjacent to one another; wherein the programmable robot unit comprises arobot base frame, a robot carousel that is rotatably mounted on therobot base frame, a robot rocker, a robot arm and a robot hand; whereinthe robot base frame, the thread access unit and the thread cutting unitare fixedly arranged on the first section of the frame plate; whereinthe mounting plate is mounted on the second section of the frame plateso as to be detachable, but unmovable when attached to the frame plate;wherein the programmable robot unit, the thread access unit, the threadcutting unit and the mounting plate are arranged successively in ahorizontal position so as to allow access of the robot arm to the threadaccess unit, the thread cutting unit and the mounting plate; and whereinthe programmable robot unit is programmed to: a) grasp an end of unwoundthread hanging from a thread tube of the thread access unit and pull theunwound thread to a predetermined thread length; b) place the end of theunwound thread over the thread cutting unit; c) activate the threadcutting unit to cut the unwound thread into a thread of defined length;d) place the thread of defined length over a strip of adhesive tape onthe mounting plate, such that an end section of the thread of definedlength is aligned substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal directionof the strip, such that a remaining section of the thread of definedlength protrudes over a first longitudinal border of the strip, and suchthat the end section of the thread of defined length does not reach asecond longitudinal border of the strip opposite to the firstlongitudinal border; and e) press the end section of the thread ofdefined length into the strip of adhesive tape; wherein the horizontallyarranged robot unit, the thread access unit and the thread cutting unitare positioned on the frame plate and the mounting plate ispre-processed for the fixation of the strips of adhesive tape at anearlier point in time with strips of adhesive tape positioned on themounting plate according to a defined drop down architecture and withattaching the strips of adhesive tape at sides of edges of the mountingplate, the method comprising the further steps, according to which therobot unit is programmed, such that the robot unit transmits controlcommands to a plurality of robot arms and to different units, which areinstalled on the frame plate: a) firstly a pivot movement is executed bythe robot hand with the tweezers, such that the tip of the tweezers isdirected in front of the tube of the thread access unit, b) then thepivotably mounted and oppositely arranged addressable tweezer arms oftweezers, which are exchangeably mounted to the gripper of the robothand, and a thread, which is unwound from a thread roll which is fixedto the frame and rotatably mounted, and which is then guided through ahorizontally arranged thread tube and hangs down from the thread tubeoutwardly, wherein the tweezer arms grab the thread and then pull itwith defined thread length, c) furthermore, the robot hand which grabsthe thread with the tweezer arms, performs a pivot movement across thefree space of the thread cutting unit, which then d) puts down an endsection of a thread which is craned and located at the end of the threadof the unwound thread into the free space between opposite knife edgeand anvil of the thread cutting unit, and which then e) impresses thecaliper of the thread cutting unit due to a received robot movementcommand with the metal finger and triggers the following cutting of thecraned end section of thread to a defined length, wherein the threadcutting unit holds the cut end section of the thread after it has beencut, after which f) the robot hand performs a further pivot movement andpositions the tweezers which grab the thread over the mounting platewhich is prepared with a plurality of strips of adhesive tape, afterwhich g) the arms of the tweezers are opened at a short verticaldistance above a pre-defined location on the corresponding strip ofadhesive tape, which will then drop off a short thread above thispredefined location onto the respective strip of a adhesive tape, thenh) the arms of the tweezers are closed and then i) the spring-mountedpressing means, which is mounted on the connection means of the grippingflange, moves in a rotating vertical movement such that the short threadis pressed on the predefined position by a short press of thespring-mounted pressing means, after which j) the robot hand departstogether with the populated tweezers from the pre-prepared mountingplate by performing a vertical movement of the robot hand and thereon k)the steps a) to j) are repeated until a respective short thread has beenpressed on all predefined positions on all fixed strips of adhesiveaccording to a preprogrammed defined deposition architecture.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, wherein a foamed plastic underlay is arranged underthe preprocessed mounting plate on the frame of the base frame, in orderto avoid damage of the gripping unit during pressing application.
 7. Themethod of claim 5, wherein the arms of the tweezers form a closed presson area, by which the short thread of the step i) is at first safelyheld at the predefined location and then dropped at a defined locationby opening the arms of the tweezers without jamming (getting caught),and is fixed with a minimal rolling movement of the robot arm by avertical movement of the spring-mounted pressing means consisting ofTeflon®.
 8. A method of fabricating adhesive tape with threads forvisualization of air streams on aerodynamic surfaces with an apparatusfor fabricating adhesive tape with threads for visualization of airstreams on aerodynamic surfaces, the apparatus comprising: a fixedframe, a frame plate mounted on the fixed frame, a mounting plate, aprogrammable robot unit, a thread access unit and a thread cutting unit;wherein the frame plate comprises a first and a second section, thefirst and second sections being adjacent to one another; wherein theprogrammable robot unit comprises a robot base frame, a robot carouselthat is rotatably mounted on the robot base frame, a robot rocker, arobot arm and a robot hand; wherein the robot base frame, the threadaccess unit and the thread cutting unit are fixedly arranged on thefirst section of the frame plate; wherein the mounting plate is mountedon the second section of the frame plate so as to be detachable, butunmovable when attached to the frame plate; wherein the programmablerobot unit, the thread access unit, the thread cutting unit and themounting plate are arranged successively in a horizontal position so asto allow access of the robot arm to the thread access unit, the threadcutting unit and the mounting plate; and wherein the programmable robotunit is programmed to: a) grasp an end of unwound thread hanging from athread tube of the thread access unit and pull the unwound thread to apredetermined thread length; b) place the end of the unwound thread overthe thread cutting unit; c) activate the thread cutting unit to cut theunwound thread into a thread of defined length; d) place the thread ofdefined length over a strip of adhesive tape on the mounting plate, suchthat an end section of the thread of defined length is alignedsubstantially orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the strip, suchthat a remaining section of the thread of defined length protrudes overa first longitudinal border of the strip, and such that the end sectionof the thread of defined length does not reach a second longitudinalborder of the strip opposite to the first longitudinal border; and e)press the end section of the thread of defined length into the strip ofadhesive tape, the method comprising the following steps: a) graspingone end of unwound thread hanging from a thread tube of the threadaccess unit and pulling the thread to a predetermined thread length; b)putting the one end into the thread cutting unit; c) activating thethread cutting unit to cut the thread into a section of thread with adefined length; d) placing the cut section of thread over an adhesivetape on the mounting plate; e) pressing the cut section of short threadinto the adhesive tape.